The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series

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Books in the series

A Marxist Viewing of Avengers: Infinity War By Elliot Dolan-Evans The release of the latest Marvel blockbuster, Avengers: Infinity War, has coincided with an age of political uncertainty and upheavals, and the 200th birthday of Karl Marx. Released in the current political climate of Trump, Brexit, and nuclear crises, with a resurgence of class struggle,…

Doctor Strange’s “Endgame” Ethics Consequentialism, Foreknowledge, and Expedient Evils By Cheyne L. Joslin [NOTE: Major Spoilers ahead for Avengers: Infinity War.] Doctor Strange’s choice to give up the Time Stone to Thanos near the close of Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War left many fans responding with confusion and questions as to what the outcome of…

Tony Stark’s Problem of Mortality By Edwardo Pérez [NOTE: Major Spoilers ahead for Avengers: Infinity War.] Every character in Marvel Studio’s MCU film franchise (nineteen films and counting) is fascinating, not just in the awesome array of superpowers they possess (which makes the stories and special effects fun) but in the way each character has…

Life and Time in Doctor Strange Immortality in the Dark Dimension Joachim Lipski The 2016 movie Doctor Strange tells us of Stephen Strange’s clash with his fellow sorcerer Kaecilius. According to Kaecilius’ dogma, time is life’s mortal enemy. This belief is what drives him into the servitude of Dormammu, the ruler (or quasi-deity) of…

The Last Jedi Nihilism, Übermenschen, and a Rey of Hope by Edwardo Pérez The Force Awakens ended beautifully, with Rey and Luke Skywalker staring at each other, standing atop an island mountain, with a lightsaber between them – held out by Rey in a gesture of respect and hope. It’s such a significant moment in…